Comments for Nicki Violettihttp://www.nickivioletti.com
business musings...and other stuff too!Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:58:29 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2Comment on What’s it like to be the owner of a CrossFit gym? Interview with an Affiliate part 3 by Box Ownerhttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2011/07/25/whats-it-like-to-be-the-owner-of-a-crossfit-gym-interview-with-an-affiliate-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-2264
Box OwnerFri, 29 Mar 2013 21:58:29 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=541#comment-2264Wow... I literally felt as though I was reading an interview of myself answering these questions. I have a very successful box. I trained out of my garage for two and a half years, amassing a clientele of approximately 40 people in that time. I was making right at $10,000 per month with zero overhead. Due to the high demand and my running out of time slots to put new clients, I moved into a facility with a rent of $2,000 per month, got a small business loan in the amount of $50,000 (not really that high considering most business loan amounts), and moved in. I affiliated 3 months into the new building, and am now nearing completion of my 3rd month of being an affiliate. My income is now roughly $14,000 per month. However, the cost to run my gym comes out to roughly $4,300 per month. I work more hours, now have to worry about things like paying my three other coaches, paying the mortgage, auto-debit payment collections, keeping track of clientele, going to every competition that my competitors want to enter, all the way down to ensuring I pay the pest control folks to come spray, the security camera folks to keep my shit safe, and the city I live in their outrageous ordinance prices and safety inspection checks.
I work more hours, train more people, but bring home less money. If I had it to do over again, I would have never left my garage. But like all small business owners, especially those in the fitness industry who are sincere in their passion for their clients, I wanted bigger and better for my clients and was tired of being stuck in a 25 x 25 box 14 hours per day. I now see my children and wife much less, spend many lonely nights at the gym working on the administration side of things until 1am in the morning, spend many weekends gone to competitions or coaching or hosting UFC nights, birthday parties, etc., at the gym, and have gained 30-35 pounds of pure fat in the past 6 months since moving into the building. Oh, and did I mention my hair is falling out as well suddenly? I sleep less, make poor eating choices, rarely have time to squeeze in my own workout during the day, am more stressed, less healthy, etc.
But... if you ask any single person who knows me outside of my wife, they will tell you I'm the hardest working, happiest, most upbeat person they've ever known. They'd tell you I'm an amazing father and a loving husband, I am an amazing business entrepeneur in going from a garage with one client to a CrossFit facility the likes of which my city (which has 7-8 boxes) has never seen, and am hands down the most passionate, knowledgable coach in my city. And all of that for the most part is true. But behind closed doors, opening a box was the worst decision I ever made in my entire adult life.
Sorry to rain on anyone's parade if they have the same aspirations, but understand what you're getting yourself into. If I were single and had no children, this would be an amusement park ride. But I go to bed every night at midnight to 1am and wake every day at 4am for classes. It is one hell of a tough job. One that I admitedly and insanely love beyond words. But I have had to sacrifice more of myself, my time, my health, my money, and my family than I ever knew possible.
Great interview. Glad to see someone finally cut the bullshit and be honest about what it's really like to own a CrossFit box. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, boys and girls.Wow… I literally felt as though I was reading an interview of myself answering these questions. I have a very successful box. I trained out of my garage for two and a half years, amassing a clientele of approximately 40 people in that time. I was making right at $10,000 per month with zero overhead. Due to the high demand and my running out of time slots to put new clients, I moved into a facility with a rent of $2,000 per month, got a small business loan in the amount of $50,000 (not really that high considering most business loan amounts), and moved in. I affiliated 3 months into the new building, and am now nearing completion of my 3rd month of being an affiliate. My income is now roughly $14,000 per month. However, the cost to run my gym comes out to roughly $4,300 per month. I work more hours, now have to worry about things like paying my three other coaches, paying the mortgage, auto-debit payment collections, keeping track of clientele, going to every competition that my competitors want to enter, all the way down to ensuring I pay the pest control folks to come spray, the security camera folks to keep my shit safe, and the city I live in their outrageous ordinance prices and safety inspection checks.

I work more hours, train more people, but bring home less money. If I had it to do over again, I would have never left my garage. But like all small business owners, especially those in the fitness industry who are sincere in their passion for their clients, I wanted bigger and better for my clients and was tired of being stuck in a 25 x 25 box 14 hours per day. I now see my children and wife much less, spend many lonely nights at the gym working on the administration side of things until 1am in the morning, spend many weekends gone to competitions or coaching or hosting UFC nights, birthday parties, etc., at the gym, and have gained 30-35 pounds of pure fat in the past 6 months since moving into the building. Oh, and did I mention my hair is falling out as well suddenly? I sleep less, make poor eating choices, rarely have time to squeeze in my own workout during the day, am more stressed, less healthy, etc.

But… if you ask any single person who knows me outside of my wife, they will tell you I’m the hardest working, happiest, most upbeat person they’ve ever known. They’d tell you I’m an amazing father and a loving husband, I am an amazing business entrepeneur in going from a garage with one client to a CrossFit facility the likes of which my city (which has 7-8 boxes) has never seen, and am hands down the most passionate, knowledgable coach in my city. And all of that for the most part is true. But behind closed doors, opening a box was the worst decision I ever made in my entire adult life.

Sorry to rain on anyone’s parade if they have the same aspirations, but understand what you’re getting yourself into. If I were single and had no children, this would be an amusement park ride. But I go to bed every night at midnight to 1am and wake every day at 4am for classes. It is one hell of a tough job. One that I admitedly and insanely love beyond words. But I have had to sacrifice more of myself, my time, my health, my money, and my family than I ever knew possible.

Great interview. Glad to see someone finally cut the bullshit and be honest about what it’s really like to own a CrossFit box. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, boys and girls.

]]>Comment on What’s it like to be the owner of a CrossFit gym? Interview with an Affiliate Part 1 by KAMSON Emmanuelhttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2011/07/12/interview-with-a-crossfit-affiliate-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-2255
KAMSON EmmanuelWed, 26 Dec 2012 21:19:27 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=519#comment-2255am a trainer in Nigeria,dont know is the same in the globe,whereby client expect goods and services to be free.
not paying for bottle water after hydrating.thanks a lot,your write up good for upcoming trainers and owners.am a trainer in Nigeria,dont know is the same in the globe,whereby client expect goods and services to be free.
not paying for bottle water after hydrating.thanks a lot,your write up good for upcoming trainers and owners.
]]>Comment on Free Schedule App for your Facebook Page courtesy of Skilled Athlete! by Nickihttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2011/09/15/free-schedule-app-for-your-facebook-page-courtesy-of-skilled-athlete/comment-page-1/#comment-2243
NickiFri, 09 Nov 2012 20:41:08 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=591#comment-2243Hi Megan,
Unfortunately not. All Skilled Athlete products require MBO.Hi Megan,

Unfortunately not. All Skilled Athlete products require MBO.

]]>Comment on Free Schedule App for your Facebook Page courtesy of Skilled Athlete! by Megan Baileyhttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2011/09/15/free-schedule-app-for-your-facebook-page-courtesy-of-skilled-athlete/comment-page-1/#comment-2242
Megan BaileyFri, 09 Nov 2012 19:49:43 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=591#comment-2242Can the class schedule be put on Facebook without MindBody Online? I'm small enough that I don't need it yet but do think that clients would like to see my schedule.Can the class schedule be put on Facebook without MindBody Online? I’m small enough that I don’t need it yet but do think that clients would like to see my schedule.
]]>Comment on What’s it like to be the owner of a CrossFit gym? Interview with an Affiliate part 3 by TJhttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2011/07/25/whats-it-like-to-be-the-owner-of-a-crossfit-gym-interview-with-an-affiliate-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-2201
TJMon, 08 Oct 2012 01:59:26 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=541#comment-2201I think in the CrossFit community we have developed the mentality that there can be no weakness. I think this blog is awesome at admiting the humility and defeat that shadows the success of running a CrossFit affiliate. If I can add one fundamental piece of advice. To attract and hopefully keep excellence in my coaching team - I paid my coaches and extended a lot of access to my gym. This is a critical strategic error, once started it is almost impossible to take back. I pay 40% of my income out to my independent contractors - coaches. So no I don't work 80 hour weeks, and I am in the process of rebuilding my marriage after two years of me living in the gym but I am broke. Hey Robbie - I profited 50K my first year running a garage gym. Working just over 40hours and being an awesome at home Dad. I have over 80K invested in a CrossFit facility that has paid me nothing for two years and is tracking towards a 25K profit this year. A competitive CrossFit called in my garage gym otherwise I would have closed the doors on the gym and returned to the garage years ago.I think in the CrossFit community we have developed the mentality that there can be no weakness. I think this blog is awesome at admiting the humility and defeat that shadows the success of running a CrossFit affiliate. If I can add one fundamental piece of advice. To attract and hopefully keep excellence in my coaching team – I paid my coaches and extended a lot of access to my gym. This is a critical strategic error, once started it is almost impossible to take back. I pay 40% of my income out to my independent contractors – coaches. So no I don’t work 80 hour weeks, and I am in the process of rebuilding my marriage after two years of me living in the gym but I am broke. Hey Robbie – I profited 50K my first year running a garage gym. Working just over 40hours and being an awesome at home Dad. I have over 80K invested in a CrossFit facility that has paid me nothing for two years and is tracking towards a 25K profit this year. A competitive CrossFit called in my garage gym otherwise I would have closed the doors on the gym and returned to the garage years ago.
]]>Comment on What’s it like to be the owner of a CrossFit gym? Interview with an Affiliate Part 1 by bruckhttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2011/07/12/interview-with-a-crossfit-affiliate-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-2197
bruckWed, 25 Jul 2012 18:02:22 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=519#comment-2197very helpfulvery helpful
]]>Comment on A CrossFit Perspective by Sean Murrayhttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2011/08/29/a-crossfit-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2196
Sean MurrayMon, 23 Jul 2012 11:25:26 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=577#comment-2196FAO Mark and Nicki,
Some guys from my old affiliate have set up an outdoor affiliate in Manchester, England. A tough proposition in a less than perfect climate. It rains a lot in Manchester and we're having one of our worst summers ever. Think their inspiration was Blair Morrison's anywhere CrossFit ethos. We all watch closely as to how they will succeed. Think training camps are something they are looking at and have forged links with The Cross affiliate in Portugal where they get 10% as a UK booking agent for anyone they send the way of the The Cross.
Mobile PTing is something I am interested in at people's homes where they may have a garage or large drive. The problem is the English weather though on the main. Erratic and often wet.FAO Mark and Nicki,

Some guys from my old affiliate have set up an outdoor affiliate in Manchester, England. A tough proposition in a less than perfect climate. It rains a lot in Manchester and we’re having one of our worst summers ever. Think their inspiration was Blair Morrison’s anywhere CrossFit ethos. We all watch closely as to how they will succeed. Think training camps are something they are looking at and have forged links with The Cross affiliate in Portugal where they get 10% as a UK booking agent for anyone they send the way of the The Cross.

Mobile PTing is something I am interested in at people’s homes where they may have a garage or large drive. The problem is the English weather though on the main. Erratic and often wet.

]]>Comment on What’s it like to be the owner of a CrossFit gym? Interview with an Affiliate Part 1 by Christophehttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2011/07/12/interview-with-a-crossfit-affiliate-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-2195
ChristopheTue, 05 Jun 2012 10:30:00 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=519#comment-2195I recently switched from the CrossFit ox I first started at to my current CrossFit box. The reason? It wasn't $. It was location. I was driving 2o mins compared to driving 5 mins. I loved my trainers and the friends I made, but I have kids, a mortgage and running a car isn't free! So I moved to a brand new box which has not much equipment to a box that had everything. From little things big things grow.I recently switched from the CrossFit ox I first started at to my current CrossFit box. The reason? It wasn’t $. It was location. I was driving 2o mins compared to driving 5 mins. I loved my trainers and the friends I made, but I have kids, a mortgage and running a car isn’t free! So I moved to a brand new box which has not much equipment to a box that had everything. From little things big things grow.
]]>Comment on What’s it like to be the owner of a CrossFit gym? Interview with an Affiliate Part 5 by sitehttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2011/09/16/whats-it-like-to-be-the-owner-of-a-crossfit-gym-interview-with-an-affiliate-part-5/comment-page-1/#comment-2194
siteThu, 31 May 2012 06:12:47 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=585#comment-2194A interesting post right there mate . Thanks for it !A interesting post right there mate . Thanks for it !
]]>Comment on For the love! Please don’t bastardize the On Ramp! by natalie ahttp://www.nickivioletti.com/2010/03/18/for-the-love-please-dont-bastardize-the-on-ramp/comment-page-1/#comment-2193
natalie aSat, 26 May 2012 05:26:19 +0000http://www.nickivioletti.com/?p=384#comment-2193First off - thank you. I am so glad to see someone break this down for us so that we can learn it the right way - to teach it the right way.
My husband and I as level 1 crossfit lugs, who don't have an affiliate but just teach a group out of our home. All friends and neighbors. Hubs is the real trainer and does all our programing. I have gone to a half dozen boxes and have to say - I think our programing is way better. However, we have been discussing what to do with the new members as our own 'on ramp'.
Since we have smaller classes (2-5 people) we usually can give everyone a lot of 1 on 1 and watch their form pretty closely, so in the passed we have done 2 months of private classes, where they learn the movements and use lighter weights to practice, but still technically do the same workout as everyone else. Then we toss them in the regular class and keep an eye on them. We always make everyone do 2-3 reps of each movement with lighter weight before the workout to demo the form to us, and make tweeks as needed. I guess, this works pretty well, but I can see why going through the same program - like you have here would make sure no moves are lost...
I really wish the Crossfit community had more classes on this side of it. We have clients with injuries and health issues and only want to help them. I only wish I could find somewhere to learn what I needed to know to help them reach their optimum health....any suggestions would be great - I'm all earsFirst off – thank you. I am so glad to see someone break this down for us so that we can learn it the right way – to teach it the right way.

My husband and I as level 1 crossfit lugs, who don’t have an affiliate but just teach a group out of our home. All friends and neighbors. Hubs is the real trainer and does all our programing. I have gone to a half dozen boxes and have to say – I think our programing is way better. However, we have been discussing what to do with the new members as our own ‘on ramp’.

Since we have smaller classes (2-5 people) we usually can give everyone a lot of 1 on 1 and watch their form pretty closely, so in the passed we have done 2 months of private classes, where they learn the movements and use lighter weights to practice, but still technically do the same workout as everyone else. Then we toss them in the regular class and keep an eye on them. We always make everyone do 2-3 reps of each movement with lighter weight before the workout to demo the form to us, and make tweeks as needed. I guess, this works pretty well, but I can see why going through the same program – like you have here would make sure no moves are lost…

I really wish the Crossfit community had more classes on this side of it. We have clients with injuries and health issues and only want to help them. I only wish I could find somewhere to learn what I needed to know to help them reach their optimum health….any suggestions would be great – I’m all ears